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The United Kingdom is already one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, yet the onslaught on our natural environment is showing no signs of slowing. Two key new reports demonstrate that UK wildlife and freshwater sources face a dire future unless urgent action is taken to protect them.
The latest UN Global Resources Outlook report reveals that natural resource extraction and processing is responsible for 90% of water stress and biodiversity loss and is driven by the combination of rapid population and economic growth.
As the latest of many scientific reports identifies population growth as a driver of biodiversity loss, Population Matters calls for action.
A new report shows that adolescents are more likely to use contraception when women and men are more equal in their society. The authors argue that achieving safer sex among teenagers requires work to overturn sexist policies, expectations and attitudes.
The UK and Scottish Governments have responded to a letter from Population Matters with platitudes and complacency. In the case of the Scottish Government, their reply was sent eight months after we first contacted them.
A new study found that three out of five of the world's largest animal species are threatened with extinction because humans are killing them for food.
An online survey of over 10,000 adults across nine countries found that more than two thirds of respondents consider population growth a “global catastrophic risk”. However, less than one quarter believe the issue requires urgent action and just over half believe continued population growth will have “negative effects”, demonstrating the urgent need for increased awareness.
A newly published book, Empty Planet, claims that global population will shortly start decreasing and continue to do so. Might it be right?
Funding for sexual health and family planning from European donor countries increased by 17% between 2016 and 2017, with the UK remaining one of the largest donors.
Tens of millions of married women in sub-Saharan Africa are not using effective, modern contraception. A new study provides insights on the reasons, and reveals how the barriers might be overcome.
Recently documented insect population crashes in Puerto Rico and Germany reflect a worrying global trend that is gaining increasing media coverage for good reason: insects are essential for the healthy function of ecosystems. The named culprits are climate change, habitat destruction and pesticides use, all of which are driven and amplified by our growing numbers.
Population growth rates in the US and China are now at 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Whilst both countries achieved similar results with very different measures, a lower number of people being added every year is a welcome development on our overstretched planet.
UN climate talks in Poland finished late last Saturday night after two weeks of painfully slow and frustrating negotiations. But what was agreed and will the outcomes help avert catastrophic climate change?
The Global Compact for Safe and Orderly Migration was adopted by countries worldwide this week. It's a welcome and positive move, but does it address all the dangers?
Last week, Family Planning 2020 released its annual report. The project is designed to enable 120 more million women and girls in the world’s poorest countries to use modern contraception by 2020.
A new report investigates the enormous challenge of feeding our rapidly growing population without further damaging our environment and worsening climate change.
Population Matters' Patron, Sir David Attenborough, is fronting the 'People’s Seat' at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Poland this December. The initiative offers the global public the opportunity to have a presence at discussions through social media.
A new report shows that despite progress, global targets set for the use of modern family planning in 2020 will be missed. Government inaction and international funding shortfalls are among the many barriers faced in some of the world's poorest countries.
A new study has highlighted how fertility rates have declined over the last generation. There are no significant surprises in the report but it emphasises again the progress that has been made and the vast differences that exist between countries. Its conclusion that fertility has declined significantly is very far from a confirmation that we need not worry about population.
Access to family planning services is vital to poverty reduction and the success of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
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